What advice do I need for my first stray kitten as a new owner?

It sounds like you are on the right track! I would recommend bringing her into a vet soon if you haven't already, for her first checkup, deworming and round of shots (abandoned kittens that don't get mother's milk may need their first vaccination a bit earlier than usual since they don't have the antibodies they'd get from nursing). Introducing her to a litter box once she gets a little bit older is also a good next step, as well as starting her on a mash of solid food and milk replacer to start weaning her. If you're still having trouble with how to care for her, talking with your local humane society is a great idea- they often have orphaned kitten programs and may be able to offer a class or other help in helping Princess grow up healthy.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Congratulations! I recommend at 5 months for the first visit to consist of: fecal test, deworming even if the fecal test is negative, feline leukemia and FIV testing, the FVRCP vaccine every 3 weeks for a total of 2 and the Rabies vaccine. I also recommend spaying and neutering after 6 months of age. I recommend feeding ahigh quality kitten food like Purina Proplan, Hill's Science Diet or Royal Canin until 1 year of age. To watch the weight after 6 months I recommend meal feeding. I wish you the very best!

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I would recommend taking the kitten in to be seen by a veterinarian for a health check exam to make sure vitals and everything else is ok before taking the kitten in. I would want to make sure the kitten is flea and tick free and make sure the exam is normal. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Poor Tim! If you can't find the mother, you will need to take care of Tim. Young kittens can require a lot of care initially. At his age, Tim can begin weaning. If he is healthy, he will eat out of low lipped bowls or plates. I recommend to get kitten formula, canned kitten food and dry (kibble kitten food). Set out a bowl of the plain dry kibble, a bowl of the canned kitten food and bowl of kibbled soaked in formula. You may need to smear the canned food and the soaked kibble around his mouth or even place a few small pieces in his mouth. Most kittens will begin eating this way. Gradually reduce the amount of soaked kibbled over the next 3 weeks. The food I recommend most is called Royal Canin Baby Cat. It is made for young kittens under 8 weeks of age: https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/products/retail-products/mother-babycat-dry-cat-food Here is a link about raising very young kittens including a formula you can make at home if nothing else is available: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-raise-orphan-kittens/ Lastly, here is a link about litterbox training: https://www.petcoach.co/article/litter-box-training-for-your-kitten/ I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Congratulations on your new cat! The things you need to do are get all the vaccines (boosters included), a Feline Leukemia and FIV test, treatment for fleas and worms, and have his feces checked for parasites. Other potential actions are a microchip and a dental cleaning. Your veterinarian will do a physical exam and then let you know what else may need to be done. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Depending on her age, the kitten may not be able to break down the milk sugar called lactose much like people with Lactose Intolerance. I wouldn't advise giving milk since it can cause cramping, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset. I would advise getting her to your veterinarian right away for an examination. Depending on her age they will advise you on pertinent testing (Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), vaccinations, and deworming to get her off on the right track. Great job saving her and good luck

It is difficult to see how healthy Blacky is from the pictures, but she does look a bit thin. I would see if you can get a dewormer from the local pet store and give that to her. Make sure it is the right dose by checking the label on the bottle or box; don't just trust pet store owner's advice. You can feed her milk mixed with raw egg for the time being. I would leave her out on the porch (if it's safe from dogs) in the box for another day to see if Mom comes back. If she doesn't, then you have a couple of options: 1) Bring her to the Blue Cross in Chenai 2) Keep her and take care of her If you are going to care for her, then you want to seek advice from a veterinarian. I'm sure you can find another one in the area. The Blue Cross should also have some good information on how to keep her healthy. Here is a link to a short article on kitten care that should be helpful: https://www.petcoach.co/article/new-kitten-101/